Hutchinson M aga z i n e
winter 2013
Sassy
Chief Feline Officers
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D e l o s V. S m i t h
Welcome Home
to DIY Style
Marvels
Made in Hutch
Anima bella
Hutchinson Volume 06 / Issue 03
Magazine
dear readers Publisher John Montgomery Advertising Director Dave Gilchrist Marketing Solutions Manager Anita Stuckey For Advertising Rates and Information
(620) 694-5700 ext. 222 sales Executives
Tammy Colladay Jade Piros de Carvalho Shelby Dryden Kyle Flax Mitch Hixson Ty Lyons Alexis Rhodenbaugh Tom Sullivan Sam Wilk ad designers
William Gates Kim Hoskinson Rachel Hixson Marcos Medrano Jessica Price Photographers
Aaron East Brian Lingle Deborah Walker
Contributing Writers
Look around. Hutchinson has an entrepreneurial spirit. Families have built generational businesses that defy the normal measurement of success. This season we take a close look at that spirit, which is rooted in manufacturing.
Writers Richard Shank and Edie Ross take us on a unique journey where we meet four of Hutchinson’s most accomplished industrial businesses. We learn how Kuhn Krause began with the one-way plow, how Collins Bus Corporation is one of the most admired in its field, how Lowen Corporation shines bright and Woodwork Manufacturing is hands-on. Also this season we eat up some holiday traditions that may grace the table of your family celebration. We sit back and enjoy the history of the Delos V. Smith Film Series at the Fox Theatre and applaud TECH for their 40 years of service in Hutchinson. Once again, we celebrate all the things that make Hutchinson a wonderful place—especially the fine folks who make it what it is.
— Katy, Editor Follow us on twitter @hutchinsonmag find us on facebook: facebook.com/HutchinsonMagazine
Amy Bickel Amy Conkling Gloria Gale Kathy Hanks Edie Ross Richard Shank Patsy Terrell
Production and Editorial Services for Hutchinson Magazine provided by:
Editor Katy Ibsen Designer Jenni Leiste COPY EDITOR Deron Lee GENERAL MANAGER Bert Hull Publishing Coordinator Jenni Leiste Editorial comments (866) 655-4262 Subscriptions
$25 (tax included) for a one-year subscription to Hutchinson Magazine. For subscription information, please contact:
The Hutchinson News Circulation Department Elizabeth Garwood 300 W. Second | Hutchinson KS 67501 (620) 694-5700 ext. 115 (800) 766-5730 ext. 115 egarwood@hutchnews.com
Send your comments and suggestions to hutchinsonmagazine@sunflowerpub.com
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Winter 2013
contents Features 36
Delicious Traditions
42
made in hutch
Local caterers share their holiday favorites for one big happy table
Meet four companies that are more than successful they are hometown favorites. We visit with some of Hutchinson’s wellknown CEOs and VPs who are proud to have their businesses call Reno County home.
departments Lifestyle
08
Building a Dream
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The Hixson Home
The Hullets go from Christmas-tree farm to dream home Do-it-yourself updates make for an affordable home renovation
Profiles
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Chief Feline Officers
24
Finding more than art in Kansas
28
It’s Showtime!
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TECH Turns 40
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The end quote
Local cats are giving new meaning to working 9-to-5 Ireland-based photographer Dave McKane continues to return to Hutchinson for inspiration and hope The Delos V. Smith Film Series returns with a fun family lineup After four decades of serving Reno County’s disabled, TECH continues to make waves in the community
Travel
52
Little Green Giant
Portland bows to nature and green initiatives with near spiritual reverence—all without losing its cool
Hutch Talks
58
LeAnn Cox
61
Skip Wilson
Director - Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau
Chief Professional Officer - Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson
In Every Issue: 2 dear readers
64 best bets
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departments
8..................................... Lifestyle 20.................................. Profiles 52.....................................travel 58............................hutch talks
Winter 2013
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Lifestyle
Building a
dream The Hullets go from Christmas-tree farm to dream home Story by Edie Ross
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Photography by Aaron East
Hutchinson Magazine
Three years ago, Nadine Hullet was cleaning out her attic and came across a note that her husband, Steve, had written when they were engaged three decades earlier. It read, “I’d like to build you a house.” Nadine reflects, “It had a sketch of a house on it. He did it. It just took some time.” Today she fondly calls her breathtaking mission-style home in Reno County’s beautiful sand-hill country “the house that Steve built.”
Steve and Nadine Hullet built their labor of love mission-style home later in life on the inherited family farm.
Visitors crossing the threshold into the Hullets’ three-bedroom, threebathroom home are ushered from the brick-and-limestone wraparound porch into a hallway set off by six wooden columns. To one side, a great room is arranged around a floor-to-ceiling fireplace beneath a cathedral ceiling. To the other side is an open-concept kitchen and dining area, set off by a coffered ceiling and a large bank of southern windows. A screened-in porch next to a bubbling koi pond is accessible from the kitchen. This is one of Nadine’s favorite places to relax when she is home—especially later in the day when it affords a beautiful view of the setting sun. On the other side of the house, off of the great room, is a guest room adjoined to a full bath. The large room features a considerable closet enclosed behind full double doors. It is furnished with surround-sound, a mounted flat-screen television and Steve’s favorite recliner.
“It doubles as my man cave,” Steve says, smiling. Down the hall is the master bedroom, with Nadine’s “dream bathroom” adjoined. Even with large east-facing windows and gorgeous walnut floors, the focal point of the bedroom is the headboard—an antique bank-teller’s window. Found at Architectural Salvage in Wichita, the panel was original to the Alva State Bank in Alva, Oklahoma, and it matches those panels used as ticket windows at Wichita’s historic Orpheum Theatre, according to Steve. “My folks were born and raised in Alva,” Steve says. “I know my grandparents banked at Alva State Bank. So it is very possible that they stood, at some point, in front of this very teller’s window.” The master bathroom is outfitted with countertops, tile and flooring cut from travertine stone. The bathroom features double sinks, a Jetta tub and a large, custom-built shower. “We owned the tub for two years before we actually built the house,” Nadine says. “It was sitting in the garage.”
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Lifestyle
Mission/ American Craftsman features
Tapered columns on the wraparound porch and on the great-room fireplace. Partially paned kitchen cabinets with antique glass. Partially paned front door. Multipaned upper windows over singlepaned lower windows cased with wide trim. Earthy colors. Stone details.
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She confessed to soaking in it as soon as Steve installed it, not caring that most of the bathroom was still a construction zone. Steve doesn’t talk about how many hours he spent custom-building all of the finishes after 5 p.m. when he’d arrive home from his regular job. Instead, he will share his excitement as he points out the unique grain pattern of the quarter-sawn red oak selected for the home’s cabinetry and for the fireplace in the great room. Steve won’t tell you about how much time it took to sort through crates of heavy quartzite stone, cutting it to size, and laying the large pieces. Instead, he will stop to discuss the stone’s unique
and earthy color patterns, often created as it was being formed in the side of a ridge. The details are a testament to Steve’s role as general contractor on the three-year old home, working alongside architect Mark Schwartzkopf and builder Leon Yoder. Steve, who is a maintenance supervisor at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, has never received formal training as a craftsman or builder, although he has renovated at least two homes and completed handfuls of woodworking projects. “It’s just something I picked up on and enjoyed doing,” he says.
They thought of everything Steve and Nadine Hullet spent three years researching home features before they broke ground on their new home. That, combined with Steve’s eye for detail, yielded a home that is not only beautiful, but also functional to the max. For efficiency, the dishwasher door opens up directly across from drawers where plates and bowls are stored. Steve outfitted those dish drawers with an adjustable peg system that keeps dishes from moving around when drawers are opened or closed. He did the same for the pot-and-pan drawers. Also in the kitchen, the pot filler and a sink on the island are supplied with hard water, as those two faucets are used for cooking and food preparation. Non-softened well water is fed to the larger sink and dishwasher for cleaning purposes. Beautiful plain-sawn red oak is used throughout the home, except for the cabinetry and fireplace mantel.
Every bedroom is soundproofed, which is especially beneficial in the guest suite/man cave, where Steve can watch sports as loud as he likes. The entire house is wired to a sound system, and each room is outfitted with controls. It is great for Christmas music, according to Nadine. Most of these details came from touring hundreds of homes and picking out one or two things from each that they wanted to incorporate in their home. “I am the kind who never really had an opinion,” Nadine says. “But now, bless his heart, I know exactly how I want things.”
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Lifestyle Being blessed and blessing others When Steve and Nadine Hullet decided to build their dream retirement home, it meant razing the home they had lived in for nearly two decades and starting over. As newlyweds, the Hullets lived in a home on Sunflower Avenue in Hutchinson. Steve’s parents had started Hullet’s Christmas Tree Farm on North Lorraine Street in the ’70s, and Steve and Nadine purchased the property they now live on with expansion of that business in mind. There happened to be a small home on the property, which they renovated and rented for several years while they planted and grew a stock of trees. Eventually, wanting to live in the country, Steve and Nadine sold the house on Sunflower and expanded the little rental to meet their needs. And it did meet their needs for 18 years. But with the children gone and retirement ahead, the Hullets wanted a low-maintenance, energyefficient home that would last them the rest of their lives. During the construction of their current home, they lived in a one-bedroom cottage on their property that had previously served as a salesroom for their Christmas-tree farm operation, which closed five years ago. After finishing their home, the couple dedicated the apartment home to their church, Grace Bible Church, for needs that might arise. “It hasn’t been empty much since then,” Steve says, adding that local people in difficult situations needing a temporary place to stay, as well as guests of the church, have used the apartment. Currently, pastor Jack Hughes and his wife, Lisa, are staying there while they serve in a temporary capacity at the church. The couple came with little knowledge of what their temporary home would look like. “Imagine our surprise when we found out that we would be living in the country, with delightful neighbors, in a sweet little cottage,” Lisa says. “One of my favorite things to do is sit on the front porch swing and enjoy the evening while marveling at the great, old cottonwood in the front yard. Since Steve and Nadine lived in the cottage while they were building their new house, coming over for dinner feels like coming back home to them. And we like it that way.”
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Based on Schwartzkopf’s drawings, Yoder’s crews put up the house frame, laid the brick and did the roofing. Steve’s fingerprints are present on all of the electrical and plumbing work. He laid all the flooring, tile and countertops, painted all the walls and installed the appliances and fixtures. Steve also designed, created, finished and installed the extensive woodworking
The kitchen, which is open off of the entry, includes granite countertops, a gas range with a pot filler, double ovens and a large island. throughout the house, teaming up with Ralph Janzen for some of the cabinetry work. With her true love’s handiwork on display wherever she looks, Nadine’s job of decorating has been extremely easy. She hasn’t put up one picture. “Why bother?” she asks, smiling.
The screened-in porch is one of Nadine’s favorite spots to linger.
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Lifestyle
the
Hixson Home
Do-it-yourself updates make for an affordable home renovation Story by Amy Bickel
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Photography by Deborah Walker
Adding color and creative elements throughout, Rachel, Mitch and Morgan Hixson, discovered an inexpensive way to update their home.
The old medicine cabinet was on the way to the junk pile when Rachel Hixson salvaged it from a friend’s garage. Amid a renovation project, the friend had torn it out of an outdated bathroom, tossing it aside as obsolete décor. Hixson’s mind, however, began to spin. She looked past its age, its dirt and grime. What she saw was a piece that could turn into something exquisite on her wall. “I look at it and see that you can paint it, you can do this with it, that with it, and turn it into something that people will say, ‘Wow, that is awesome,’ ” she says. Interior design, after all, doesn’t always mean expensive additions or furniture, according to Rachel. For her and her husband, Mitch, it is about creatively using the space you have. The Hixsons put that belief into practice when they walked into their current house for the first time a few years ago. At the time, Rachel was preparing to leave a management job to spend more time with her daughter, Morgan, and the couple had decided to downsize from a larger residence in Hutchinson’s Crescent neighborhood to a roughly 1,200-square-foot home situated near Hutchinson Community College. On a limited budget, they invested their own time and do-it-yourself skills, renovating a 1919-era bungalow. By doing so, they uncovered its hidden charms along the way. “The house was great, but it just needed to be changed up some to reflect us,” says Mitch, a marketing solutions specialist at The Hutchinson News. “I knew we could do some work. She told me at the time what her ideas were, and so we’ve just kind of moved step-by-step, one room or one project at a time, to update it the way it is now.” The Hixsons mixed together both modern and classic details as they renovated their new home using a DIY approach and creativity. “When we moved in, the front room, which is typically the living room in most houses, was pretty small because the owner had walled off a portion of it to create a second bathroom,” says Rachel, a creative services production assistant at The Hutchinson News. “The original dining room was much larger, so we just threw out convention and made the front room our dining/entry area and made the dining room our living room.” Mitch admits he lacks Rachel’s ability to see the finished product before work begins. “She can see how she wants it to look, and then she takes the time to prep and research how she’s going to make that a reality,” he says. “I’m always amazed because I can’t really see like she does, but it always turns out looking so good.” That includes finding the right color scheme for each room. Rachel says she wanted the dining/entry area to have a formal feel, with darker wood furniture and deeper earth tones. She painted the walls cayenne orange and tan. The adjacent living area, however, needed to be casual and comfortable, and she incorporated aqua blue with pops of bright red and muted green.
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Keeping costs low Professional craftsmanship can cost thousands of dollars. The Hixsons, however, say they can do it themselves for just a fraction of the cost. Besides brightening up rooms with fresh coats of paint, the couple is intuitive—finding the best alternatives on the cheap. Making the most of a catch-all mudroom, Rachel updated the room with DIY elements to make a craft/family room.
For instance, Rachel, who once worked at window design company, made many of the home’s curtains. The four paisley green drapes in the front entry were made with a $20 hand-stitching tool and designer fabric costing about $400 altogether. “To have someone custom-make these for you, it would cost at least $1,800,” she says. She repurposed items typically used for plumbing to create inexpensive curtain rods and hardware, painting plastic pipes to appear like steel rods— much cheaper than the curtain aisle at the store, she says. She made Roman shades using fabric and old metal blinds for the living room. “The thing is, you do have to be willing to work,” Rachel says. “The place where you save the most money is by providing your own labor. So you have to do the research and you have to do the work. But the other thing is, that’s part of what makes it so fun.”
“I love color,” Rachel says. “I stay awake at night thinking about colors and different projects I can do.” The entire home focuses on the family’s close bond, with walls displaying pictures of their lives over the years— from their engagement photos and Morgan’s first birthday party, to a commissioned drawing of Mitch and Morgan that hangs over the couple’s bed—a Father’s Day present to Mitch from Rachel. The latest project turned their back-porch
mudroom into a family lounge, as well as a study for Rachel and Morgan. Rachel incorporated tones of coral and blue, and designed her own valances, which cost her about $12 each. “The backroom/study area is really cool because it’s changed from a passthrough place where you just dropped your shoes and coat and moved on, to a destination area in our home,” says Mitch. The space includes a bulletin board Rachel made for the family with inspirational quotes, and the old medicine
cabinet. Rachel spent hours scrubbing it and repainting it, then decorating the inside in a gingham pattern of scrapbook material. It will display some of her shoe figurine collection. “Some people might look at this, creating beautiful things, as just frivolous,” she says. “But I don’t see the harm from getting joy through creati n g someth i n g beautiful.”
The Hixsons have also up-cycled much of their furniture. Rachel took a beige particleboard table she purchased for $30 and turned it into the family’s formal dining room table. She used paint from previous projects and made the stencils she used to decorate it. In the center is the Hixsons’ “H”—a monogram she designed herself. “Why buy a new table when you can repurpose one?” she says. “There are ways of presenting things that make them more aesthetically appealing.” The couple left the kitchen largely the same, including the white and yellow flowered wallpaper. Instead of spending money on replacing antiquated cabinetry, Rachel painted them a lighter hue of green. She then used a watereddown burnt-orange color to give the cabinet details an antique feel, and added new knobs and fixtures to the doors. They also removed upperlevel doors to display cookware. Rachel has a gift of being able to create and design, Mitch says. “She is not afraid to try a new technique on a piece of furniture or a room to make her idea come to life,” he says.
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Lifestyle
In the details The bedroom set
Rachel and Mitch have never purchased a new bedroom set. Instead, Rachel took the bedroom furniture Mitch had in college and repurposed it, painting the wood white and then dry-brushing on yellow for an antiqued effect.
Artwork
Rachel painted some of the artwork; one piece in the living room features a red bird sitting on a branch. Also on display is artwork created by her mother, who passed away in 2011. One piece is of three owls, representing Rachel—who is a triplet.
Kansas State University
Rachel says she sometimes finds different K-State items throughout her home, discreetly placed by Mitch, a graduate of the university.
Piano light
The couple contemplated buying a new lamp for their renovated back room. When they couldn’t find one they liked, however, they decided to use an old piano light.
Lampshade
After searching the Internet for ideas, Rachel decided that instead of buying a new light fixture for her back room, she would use an inexpensive lampshade to cover an old light fixture. There is still a translucent glass covering over the bare bulb.
Morgan’s art wall
The Hixsons turned a small wall in their home into one that displays Morgan’s artwork. They framed several pieces and change them as new art comes in. It helps keep the refrigerator clutter free!
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Art from around the world From the Vatican, Ron and Carol Carr brought home a statue of the Holy Family. From Northern Ireland came an artist’s rendition of Drumcree Church. The artist was the father of one of the students who came to Hutchinson through the Ulster Project, which the Carrs were involved in as a host family. The Carrs also proudly display an original Birger Sandzén portraying a cabin scene. The piece was given to Ron’s grandparents in 1910 as a wedding present from his great aunt, who was secretary for Sandzén at Bethany College. Ron and Carol both enjoy decorating their home for the holidays and make it a point to collect Christmas tree ornaments when they travel.
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Chief
Feline Officers Local cats are giving new meaning to working 9-to-5 Story by Patsy Terrell
Cats remain a popular pet. In fact, one-third of American households have feline members. While this is likely true in Hutchinson, it turns out many are also on the clock.
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Photography by Deborah Walker
Some are live-in, and some only show up for the 9-to-5; their “duties” vary depending on what the day brings, but they typically involve napping. Regardless, they are
the bright spot on a hectic day and the entertainment on a slow one. Meet some of Hutchinson’s working Chief Feline Officers.
Charlie
Headquarters: Hatch Studios Spokesperson: Lacey Schechter, owner Resume: Charlie, with only three legs, is about a year old and was adopted on September 13. He began his career at Hatch Studios during their grand opening. “When I read the story [about Charlie], and read about how he was helped by so many people here in Hutchinson, I thought it would be neat to have him in a place where everyone could come visit him.” On the job: “He just lies on the couch and likes to be petted.” The Meow: “He’s doing really well. The first week or so he was pretty timid. He would hide under furniture and things, but he’s really come out of his shell. He’s really friendly to everyone who comes in,” says Lacey.
Charlie was injured when his leg was caught in a backyard privacy fence. A local man, Bob Colladay, took him to the vet, who determined the leg would have to be amputated. Colladay authorized the operation and then did a crowd-funding campaign to help pay for it. The goal of $800 was surpassed in less than 48 hours. The extra was donated to the CatSnip fund and the Hutchinson Street Cat Society, which traps, spays and neuters, and releases street cats to help cut down on straycat births.
Addie
Headquarters: Advance Termite & Pest Control Spokesperson: Helen Wells, owner Resume: About 3 years old, was born without a tail On the job: Greets customers, even the ones who aren’t cat people. Lounges in laps at the office. Shares an office with Kim Humiston, who takes care of Addie and happens to keep treats in her desk. The Meow: Likes pumpkin mixed in with her food after a long day. Addie showed up at Advance in October of 2010. At first they could hear her, but couldn’t find her. A few days later, she made an appearance during a weekend party, searching for some food. That Monday she went to the vet and officially began her job as head kitty at Advance. She was only 6-8 weeks old when found, but no siblings were ever located. “She’s been really good for morale. The guys even think she’s pretty cute. They won’t all admit it, though,” says Helen.
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Midnight
Headquarters: Keller Music Spokesperson: David Keller, owner Resume: Midnight is all gray and lives at Keller Music full-time. Even when the doors are wide open, she doesn’t leave the store. She will look out, but she obviously knows she has a good thing going. “She has no desire to go anywhere.” On the job: She has the run of the store. Some customers do come in just to see Midnight. “Every day is a little different. She just decides what she wants to do. That’s a cat thing—they do whatever they want.” The Meow: She likes pad savers, which is what woodwind players put in their instruments to clean them out.
“She’s pretty cool. Really has an attitude. She feels like she owns the place, I think. She’s definitely got the diva mentality going.” — David Keller
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Midnight was part of a litter born in a small alley next to Keller Music. David gave them some food and water, and over a couple of seasons more cats arrived. Kathy Helfrich and Jennifer Randall eventually trapped all the cats and found them homes. Midnight became the store kitty at Keller Music, and one of the others went home with David. (He says he’s more of a dog person, but we’re not so sure about that.) “She’s pretty cool. Really has an attitude. She feels like she owns the place, I think. She’s definitely got the diva mentality going.” But he’s obviously somewhat smitten, despite his dog-loving ways. “As long as she decides to stay, she’ll have a home.”
Maxine and Marley Headquarters: Shield Industries
Spokesperson: Logan Hurlbut, engineer On the job: They make rounds at the office, going in to see each person every day. Marley spends a lot of time in Logan’s office because he babied him when he was a kitten. On file: “Marley usually lays his head on my keyboard to get comfy and fall asleep, and recently while doing so he laid his head on the delete key.” This deleted a bunch of drawing files that were retrievable, with no damage done.
Maxine came to live at Shield Industries about four years ago. Her main job was to take care of any mice that found their way in. She was adopted from the Humane Society shortly before she was scheduled to be put down. Two years ago she was joined by Marley, who rode in under a truck from the middle of Hutchinson to the office in South Hutchinson. He was a baby, so has grown up there. The work of this dynamic kitty duo is now easier. “There hasn’t been a mouse here for a while, so they’re just getting spoiled now.” “Having pets in a business boosts morale and makes it a happier place to be,” says Logan.
The Meow: Regular visitors often arrive with new toys.
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FINDING MORE THAN
ART IN KANSAS Ireland-based photographer Dave McKane continues to return to hutchinson for inspiration and hope Story by Patsy Terrell
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Photography courtesy of Dave McKane
Irish photographer Dave McKane is caught near a sunflower during a recent visit to Hutchinson. The artist, who first came to Kansas as an exchange student, returns often to see friends and explore new photographic opportunities—such as his dusk series. Photograph by Deborah Walker
“Hutchinson saved my life,” says Dave McKane, who made his first trip from Ireland in 1978. Then, he was a 16-year old foreign exchange student with a new Kodak 110 Instamatic, who felt like he didn’t fit in. That trip gave him insight into how families could work differently and, he says, “It allowed me to be me.” He has graduated beyond that Instamatic camera, and is now principal at the Institute of Photography-Ireland in Dublin. His photography includes a series, “Ghost Houses of the Prairies,” that got its start during a Kansas visit.
“I knew I wanted to photograph Americana,” McKane says. “Visually, what’s America? How can I show America?” He started the project during a Hutchinson visit in 2008, and it took him about a year to define it. It struck him as uniquely American that something as substantial as a house would be left to ruin. “I find connection to abandoned cars and abandoned houses because there’s a story. To end up the way they end up, there’s a story.” Noticing these themes is something McKane says is easier for him because it’s not in his everyday world. “It melts into the background because it’s [America’s] background,” he says. For him, it’s striking. Another series he has worked on is “Blue Moments,” in which he records that time at twilight when the sky is a deep blue. He has photographed a number of iconic places around the world during that time of day. Included in the series are some Hutchinson scenes.
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Images from Dave Mckane’s Dusk Series.
A special place Since 2008, McKane has made 20 trips to Kansas. “What I come to Hutch for is the people,” he says. “I do love the place.” He remains very close to the family who hosted him during high school, and remembers that bond formed quickly. His host family picked him up at the bus station in Wichita, after a 36-hour ride from New York, where the student-exchange group had been in orientation. McKane remembers looking at the Caprice Classic and thinking it was a yacht on wheels. His family didn’t have a car or even a phone.
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The only communication Carl and Shirley Hoyt had prior to his arrival was a letter McKane had written to them. But, almost immediately, McKane and their son, Jeff, discovered they shared some interests such as model-building. They didn’t stop talking for the whole trip back to Hutchinson, and even today Shirley says she knew when she heard them talking that everything would work out. McKane did, too. McKane returned to Hutchinson about 10 years after his initial visit and discovered that most of the friends he had made were no longer in town, although he was happy to visit with the Hoyt family. Then in
November of 2008, he got a call from Jeff, who told him Carl had collapsed. Within 48 hours, McKane was on a plane to Kansas. “One of my proudest moments was I got to say to him on his death bed, ‘Thank you for all you did,’ ” says McKane. Just two months later, McKane came back to visit, and he has returned many times since. “I get great joy boasting about Kansas back in Ireland, I really do. I genuinely love the place.” During these visits, McKane usually offers free photography classes, sometimes combined with blue-moment shoots. He has traveled from one end of the state to the other to speak to classes, visit friends and take photographs.
“We fall in love with the shot we think we took, but everybody else just sees the shot you took. They don’t have the background information.” — Dave McKane
The Kansas giveback McKane makes his living from photography—not by commissioning his work, but by teaching. “There should not be an immediate and direct connection between, ‘Oh, you’re a photographer’ and ‘you should sell your work.’ Let there be a connection for those who want it, but don’t make it imperative,” he says. It’s easy to see he is a born teacher and loves the connections that come from these experiences. “If you don’t start something, you cannot create a domino effect,” he says. “I learned here that you make it work, and people are quite willing to help you make it work.” Growing up, McKane was in an environment where creative work wasn’t encouraged. He didn’t fit in and didn’t understand that he had options to live a different kind of life. Living in Hutchinson for a year, and witnessing how Americans interacted, showed him there were other possibilities. It was instrumental for him. “I learned tolerance here,” he says. When asked what he would like Kansans to understand about Kansas, he says, “You’ve got these eccentrics here, but you’ve got these fundamentally decent people in this really gorgeous place that is steeped in history,” he says. “There’s no need to apologize for this. Stand up and be proud. It’s a beautiful place.”
www.davemckanearts.com
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The 2013-2014 Delos V. Smith Fox Winter Film Series: November 22, 23, 24: The Perks of Being a Wallflower December 6, 7, 8: The Butler
It’s Showtime! The Delos V. Smith Film Series returns with a fun family lineup Story by Kathy Hanks Photography From the collection of the Reno County, Museum, Hutchinson, KS
Within an hour after the lineup for the upcoming Delos V. Smith Fox Winter Film Series was posted on Facebook, people were clamoring to purchase season tickets. Perhaps they were anxious to cash in on the limited offer of buying one series pass. The popular Delos V. Smith Fox Winter Film Series offers a series pass for only $40 buy one get one free. Passes are on sale now and will be available until the date of the first movie in the series. Individual movie tickets are $5 buy one get one free and can be purchased at the door.
December 20, 21, 22: Despicable Me 2 December 25:
Christmas Vacation January 3, 4, 5:
The Great Gatsby January 10, 11, 12: Chasing Mavericks
January 24, 25, 26: Turbo
February 7, 8, 9: 42
February 14, 15, 16: Before Midnight
February 28, March 1, 2: Monsters University March 14, 15, 16: Rush
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Delos V. Smith both in character and at ease as the handsome actor from Hutchinson. Today, the Delos V. Smith Senior Citizens Foundation works with the Fox Theatre to raise funds for its programming via the popular film series.
The Delos V. Smith Film Series,
by the numbers
The Experience “Prices for the film series remain affordable because of the generous ongoing support of the Delos V. Smith Foundation,” says Randy Mathews, executive director of the Fox. Viewers are excited to see films that are selected from the most popular movies that were shown in first-run theatres during the previous three- to six-months. “We’re fi ndi ng our audience is a combination of people: those who have seen the movie once and want to come back with friends and family members, and those who hadn’t seen the movie when it was in theatres originally,” Mathews says. Whatever the reason, the film series’ reputation is growing, and in the past two to three years it has found its niche in the community. “Attendance has been going up steadily, and its popularity has increased,” Matthews says. “We get a combination of family, romantic comedy and adventure movies.”
Mr. Smith The handsome face on the Film Series logo is Delos V. Smith Jr., a character actor, producer, director and Hutchinson native who left a legacy to the community through his philanthropy. Smith’s mission was to support the welfare and quality of life for senior citizens, in addition to promoti n g educationa l programs, cultural programs and the performing arts in Hutchinson and Reno County, explains John Shaffer, president of the board of the Delos V. Smith Senior Citizens Foundation. Shaffer grew up with Smith, and their families were close friends. Shaffer remembers being in the military in 1945 and visiting Smith in New York City. At the time, Smith was the director of the Texaco Star Theater, which began as a popular radio show that launched into a TV show. Throughout his career he acted on Broadway and on television shows. His film work included a role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, starring Jack Nicholson, in 1975.
The 1,200-seat theatre always has a good turnout on Christmas night; this year they will be showing Christmas Vacation. “We have experimented over the years with what this series should look like,” Mathews says. “Family movies do well for us. Typically Saturday night is the most popular show.” For John Buller of Hesston, the variety of the movies included in the series is a plus, as is the cost for tickets. “I am fortunate that my daughter buys season tickets as gifts,” he says. “The price is right because it’s a gift. We do a date night, and go to a restaurant and then a movie. We see as many as we can. There are all kinds of different shows for people with different likes and dislikes. They are all not shoot-‘em-up westerns or chick flicks, but a wide variety for all different interests. We go to as many as we can. There are some we are not as interested in, and that is our chance to gift the relatives who have little kids.”
www.hutchinsonfox.com
$0
Every activity at the Delos V. Smith Senior Center is free.
1975
The year One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was released, featuring Delos V. Smith Jr. in a prominent role with Jack Nicholson.
2
Two people get into the film series for $5.
3
Three animated movies are included in the winter lineup: Despicable Me 2, TURBO and Monsters University.
3-6
When selecting movies for the film series, the Fox board of directors looks at what has been popular in the past three to six months and selects a combination of family, romantic comedy and adventure movies.
11
The Delos V. Smith Senior Foundation has an 11-person board of directors who make the decision for granting funds to promote educational programs, cultural programs and the performing arts in Hutchinson and Reno County.
1,200 Seats in the Fox Theatre.
2013
This year has seen some popular films at the Fox, with 736 viewers for Hope Springs and 800 for Lincoln.
2014
By 1981, Smith had returned to Hutchinson to retire and oversee establishing the Delos V. Smith Center, in the family’s old saddle and harness shop. Smith died in 1997 at the age of 91, leaving millions in trust to the senior citizens foundation. A board of 11 members uses the funds to operate the center and donate to other projects including the Film Series.
Next year, the Fox Theatre will also present a Summer Film Series.
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profile
TECH
Turns 40
After four decades of serving Reno County’s disabled, TECH continues to make waves in the community Story by Amy Conkling
Photography by Brian Lingle
Rodney Krafels doesn’t like weekends or holidays. Don’t get the 57-year-old lifetime Hutchinson resident wrong: He enjoys the special seasons, celebrations and his relaxation time. But, holidays and weekends mean he can’t be at his favorite place—his job at the Training and Evaluation Center’s Work Force Center, where he spends every Monday through Friday sorting and folding envelopes and sacks with several of his friends. Krafels has been involved in TECH’s services and programs in most of the 40 years the Hutchinson agency has been in existence. What started out as a small organization in 1973 with six clients, three staff members, and a $30,000 annual budget has turned into a huge community resource that serves about 250 adult clients and hundreds of infants and toddlers throughout the county, employs more than 130 staff members, and has a $7 million annual budget.
The First 40 Perhaps the largest triumph, and challenge, TECH has seen in its first 40 years has been the overall acceptance of adults and youths with disabilities living among the community. Brenda Maxey, CEO of TECH, says the quality of care for individuals with disabilities in Reno County has grown leaps and bounds, as has the acceptance by Hutchinson residents. “We now have full integration,” she says. “People with disabilities work in every industry, they live in all parts of town, they attend church, go to movies, volunteer, and take part in community events. They’re
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earning paychecks and spending their paychecks here in Hutchinson.” Educating the public, however, continues to be an ongoing effort and always will be. Marcy Kauffman, director of marketing and special events, says there’s always an agency-wide effort to bring awareness of TECH’s services through annual special events, publications and educational efforts. TECH’s largest fundraisers—the Holiday Festival, Main Street Hops for TECH and Uncorked for TECH—are serving dual purposes: to raise money and awareness. Locals are blown away when they learn of TECH’s services, include residential, Adult Life Skills, TECHnology Lab the Work Center, e-Cycle program, and other continuous opportunities provided to clients. So are the clients’ family members. Jane Krafels, Rodney’s mother, gave birth to her son in the mid-1950s; she didn’t know there was anything wrong with his development until he was 9 months old, when he wouldn’t sit alone without falling over. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and an MRI of the brain found pockets with nothing in them—Rodney literally had holes in his brain. Rodney grew up going to therapy, and in the late 1970s, he attended the Reno Occupational Center (what later became known as TECH).
OPPOSITE Rodney Krafels, who participates in TECH’s programs, folds and packs FedEx mailers during a day’s work. THIS PAGE Michelle Day works on a machine as part of the e-Cycle program at TECH.
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TECH Timeline 1973: The Reno Occupational Center opens its doors in the
Emerson Carey Building with five clients. It is authorized as a service center by Vocational Rehabilitation, and as a sheltered workshop by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division.
1975: The first group home opens at 500 East Avenue E.
Neighbors first oppose the concept of the home, then welcome it with open arms. The Center is approved as a United Way agency, only one of seven designated.
1978: The Early Education Center admits children with
disabilities, ages 3-6 years old, free of charge to parents. A year later, the Early Ed preschool integrates children with and without disabilities.
1980: The name is changed to Training and Evaluation Center of Hutchinson, Inc. (TECH). 1982: An interagency agreement is formed between USD 308, USD 610 (Reno County Education Cooperative) and TECH to provide services to children, from birth to 4 years old. 1983: The first annual Tree Festival (now known as the Holiday Festival) is held in the lobby of First National Bank. 1989: A bequest from the estate of Theodore and Mildred Miller starts the TECH Foundation of Kansas. More than 30 clients find employment through TECH’s supported employment program. 1994: Hearts and Hands for TECH Auxiliary is formed. The auxiliary plans fundraising activities and assists with TECH events. 1995: The Kansas Legislature passes an act creating Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDOs). TECH is designated as CDDO for Reno County. 2002: The Computer TECHnology lab opens, opening the world of technology to TECH clients.
2003: TECH joins with four other service providers in court to stop funding cuts to the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). 2006: The first Main Street Hops for TECH is held. 2009: TECH begins an electronics waste recycling program. Later that year, the first annual Downtown Hutch Uncorked for TECH wine festival is held. 2012: Gov. Sam Brownback announces a new care concept
known as KanCare starting in January 2013. After much protest from the DO community, services are “carved out” from KanCare until January 2014. TECH’s Adult Life Skills program (ALS) moves to a new home in the former Midwest Feed Building, 14 West Avenue B.
www.techinc.org
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“There have been so many people in this community that worked hard to get this going in our community,” Jane Krafels says. “My husband had job opportunities to go other places, but TECH kept us here in Hutch. There were no other places we could—or wanted—to go to get these services.”
The Next 40 Many of the same clients who joined TECH in its early years are still with the program today. Their aging comes with additional needs and services, including retirement homes. “We’re changing the model of services to adjust to our clients’ age,” Maxey says. “Twenty or more years ago, they weren’t expected to live this long.”
“People with disabilities work in every industry, they live in all parts of town, they attend church, go to movies, volunteer, and take part in community events. They’re earning paychecks and spending their paychecks here in Hutchinson.” —Brenda Maxey, CEO of TECH
Allyn Amyx is working at e-Cycle.
Many of the people we serve live longer and clients now see onsets of dementia and other aging issues associated with getting older. Those who have been fortunate enough to live with parents are now facing independence for the first time in their lives, as their parents have since passed away or are no longer able to take care of them. For younger clients, Maxey and Kauffman both agree that TECH’s continuing battle will always be to get services right away for those individuals with needs. Because of legislative and budget battles at the state
and national level, there are 90 or so young adults in Reno County on a waiting list for TECH’s services. “The younger generation is on a huge wait list; they’re just waiting for support services,” Maxey says, noting that TECH staff touches base with those on a wait list in order to keep current on their changing needs. Meanwhile, the staff continues to envision future plans for TECH. A little over a year ago, TECH opened its new Adult Life Skills building off of South Main
Street, which houses recreational classes and activities, including arts and crafts, reading, cooking, exercise and fitness, computer technology and more. The location will bring about expanded opportunities, including the potential for a fully accessible garden-park area near the existing Avenue A Park. “We’ve had a very rich history the last 40 years, and we’re looking forward to the next 40 years and seeing what that will bring,” Maxey says.
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features
36............. Delicious Traditions 42....................... made in hutch
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Delicious Traditions Story by Amy Conkling
We all have our favorite holiday recipes—those delectable, rich dishes that are brought out usually once or twice a year to celebrate festive occasions.
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Photography by Aaron East
For area caterers and chefs, this time of year is especially charming, as they get to share treasured recipes with guests and clients.
This season Hutchinson Magazine caught up with a few to drool over their treasured holiday recipes.
Dave Duree,
Le Plat Rouge Personal Chef and Catering Service Dave Duree, owner of Le Plat Rouge Personal Chef and Catering Service, appreciates the simplicity of some holiday dishes—namely a family-favorite dessert, the Raisin Allgood Pie. It’s “all good” because it’s simple with few ingredients and easy instructions. The pie is a cross between traditional and holiday family favorites—sour cream raisin and pecan pies. “I’m not sure it has any sacred significance other than my dad loved it—I think it came from his mom,” Duree recalls. It’s such a wonderful indulgence that Duree’s mother, who took over the reins of making the pie each year, doesn’t make it anymore. “She won’t indulge him these days, so my sister is mostly the one who makes it for him now,” he says. Duree, meanwhile, features it among his catering options. His customers appreciate the uniqueness of the pie, as it brings together two traditional holiday favorite flavors. www.facebook.com/hutchchefdavid
Raisin Allgood Pie
This indulgent pie is a fan favorite for Dave Duree and his clients—any time of the year.
Ingredients
½ cup butter 1 cup granulated sugar 2 egg yolks 2 tablespoons vinegar 1 cup raisins 1 cup pecans, chopped 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 egg whites, stiffly beaten 9-inch pie shell crust
instructions
Cream butter and sugar, and then add egg yolks and vinegar. Beat well. Add raisins, nuts and vanilla, then fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour in unbaked pie shell. Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Serves 8.
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Kim Fee,
Sunflower Supper Club Sunflower Supper Club cofounder Kim Fee knew the classic green bean casserole had much more potential. Like many families, Fee’s family also had the casserole on the holiday dinner table—but it wasn’t a must-have item to indulge in. “I never saw the appeal of mushy green beans in a bland sauce,” she says. “My brother and I would just pick the fried onions off the top and eat those.” Years and several tweaks later, Fee updated the recipe, and her New Green Bean Casserole is the highlight of her family’s holiday taste buds. In fact, it’s so special that they only serve it on Thanksgiving and Christmas. “It is one of my kids’ favorite things—it has really elevated the dish,” Fee says. And the best part? The recipe can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until it’s just ready to bake. http://sunflowersupperclub.blogspot.com
New Green Bean Casserole Ingredients
2 pounds green beans, with ends trimmed, cut into 3-inch pieces 6 tablespoons butter, divided 1 onion, diced 1 pound mushrooms, sliced (Fee prefers baby portobellos) 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons dried thyme 2 cloves garlic, minced (1 teaspoon) ¼ cup flour 3 cups whole milk ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon soy sauce 2 cups Swiss cheese, shredded (8 ounces) Large can French’s fried onions
instructions
Cook the green beans for 4-5 minutes in a large pot of salted boiling water until fork-tender. Drain the beans and rinse with cold water. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Melt the 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped onion and mushrooms. Season the mushrooms and onion with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and the 2 teaspoons dried thyme.
Cook over medium heat until the mushrooms release their liquid and there is only about 2 tablespoons of liquid left in the skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer to the large mixing bowl and mix with the cooked beans. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and add flour. Stir constantly and cook for about one minute. Slowly pour in milk and bring to a simmer. Let simmer a few minutes until thickened. Add ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and season to taste with salt and pepper (Fee uses an additional ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and pepper). Remove from the heat and let cool. Pour the cooled sauce over the green bean mixture and stir to coat. Add the 2 cups of Swiss cheese and stir to blend. Spoon the bean mixture into a greased 3-quart baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes until the sauce is bubbly. Top with the French’s Onions and cook about 5-10 more minutes. Serves 8-10.
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Kathie Girst, Catering For You
Most locals may be surprised when they hear that Kathie Girst’s go-to holiday dish is savory rather than sweet. The ever-popular Hutchinson baker and caterer extraordinaire is known for her delicious wedding, anniversary and birthday cakes. Girst’s favorite family dish, however, includes a sausage-egg casserole that’s served every Christmas morning. For Girst, it’s a holiday must, and it’s a great make-ahead dish. “I usually make it up the afternoon before, let it set in the fridge and put it in first thing on Christmas morning while we wait for the family to come over,” she says. “They expect it since we’ve always had it.” Girst, who has been making her breakfast casserole for almost three decades, first received the recipe from her sister-in-law. It’s now featured at several of Girst’s Catering For You breakfast and brunch events. She doesn’t share all of her recipes—and this one will remain a secret. But Girst says it includes the breakfast staples of eggs and sausage, particularly the German sausage from Buhler’s Hometown Food Stores. “If I use a different sausage, it doesn’t taste the same,” says Girst. “The sausage is what makes the casserole special.” www.catering-for-you.com
Pretzel Salad Another of Kathie Girst’s holiday favorites is the pretzel salad.
Ingredients
2 cups pretzels, crushed 3/4 cups butter, melted 2 tablespoons sugar 1 8-ounce block of cream cheese 1 cup sugar 1 8-ounce container of whipped topping 2 3-ounce boxes of strawberry Jello 3 cups hot water 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
instructions
Mix pretzels, butter and 2 tablespoons sugar. Press into a 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. Combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and whipped topping and spread over the first mixture, completely sealing the crust. Combine strawberry Jello, water and strawberries. Pour over second layer and cool until set. Place in the refrigerator. Serves 12-15.
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ADE Photography by Aaron East
These powerhouses help put Hutchinson on the manufacturing map
Meet four companies that are more than successful—they are hometown favorites. We visit with some of Hutchinson’s well-known CEOs and VPs who are proud to have their businesses call Reno County home. Winter 2013
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“This community is amazing because of its forwardthinking nature. Hutchinson is always looking for ways to further develop the community and its local businesses.” – Paula lundmark, marketing manager
Collins Bus Corporation Collins Bus Corporation in South Hutchinson is the leading manufacturer of Type A small school, activity and child care buses in North America. While that achievement in itself sets Collins apart, it is also recognized as a dedicated advocate of alternative fuel applications by offering green energy solutions such as propaneand CNG-powered buses, in addition to traditional gas and diesel buses. While their products are noteworthy, how they produce them is somewhat unique to the manufacturing industry. In 2007, Collins instituted a “lean manufacturing” philosophy, which empowers
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employees to communicate and institute ways in which the company can improve the product and standardize work areas. The result is an end-goal of continuous improvement through a team approach. The lean manufacturing philosophy is embraced not only by leadership. The company encourages employees to become “lean certified,” says Matt Scheuler, director of sales. “That is a process that includes reading Lean materials, contributing to improving the processes they are involved in, reducing waste and building quality into the product in whatever ways they might touch it,” he says.
Through the lean philosophy, employee feedback is sought out and employees are empowered to make good changes to processes. According to Scheuler, Collins’ employees make the difference. “Every time I’m out in the field talking to customers, I tell them the most important thing in our business is our employees,” he says. “They are the - makers and that is why we are so good at what we do.” To help reduce waste, all workstations—from the offices to the production floor—are clean and standardized. Every tool has a place. Internal audits occur regularly to ensure the company is practicing what it preaches. “We are really proud of the way we do things,” Scheuler says. “Many of our sister companies have come to our facility to see the changes we’ve made on our ‘lean’ journey, and they take those back and implement it in their own businesses.” – Edie Ross
Paula lundmark & Matt Scheuler
Winter Fall 2013
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Woodwork Manufacturing 46
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Jay Schrock, owner
As it closes in on its 90th birthday, Hutchinson’s Woodwork Manufacturing is uniquely positioned to provide a “one-stop-shop” for all the woodworking needs of customers across the nation. When four partners started the business in 1925, their motto was: “If it can be made of wood, we can do it.” Today the company, now under the ownership of Jay Schrock, still delivers on that motto by combining under one roof all the processes needed to take a raw piece of lumber to a fine, finished product ready to be installed in a home or commercial building. “You’d be hard-pressed to find another company that offers all these departments under one roof,” says Rick
Mitchell, vice president of sales. “Our model shortens construction time, improves quality of the product in the field and saves the builder time and money.” Not only does Woodwork Manufacturing offer just about anything a builder would need for indoor wood finishes, it is also one of the few businesses in the region to manufacture and sell fire-rated products. “That helps us win some larger projects where there may only be a handful of firerated products in the whole project, but the contractor wants to get everything from one place,” Schrock says. Woodwork Manufacturing stocks a large inventory of mouldings and doors, which
can all be delivered statewide with as little as a day’s notice. Despite a strong contracting footprint, a good portion of their business is custom work. Furthermore, while Woodwork Manufacturing stocks five popular raw lumber types, but the company also works with a lot of exotic and imported woods on special orders. Schrock, who began with the company in 1960 as a truck driver and worked his way to become owner by 1983, says the skill, hard work and loyalty of Woodwork Manufacturing’s 38 employees make the business what it is today. “When it is made out of wood, we can figure out how to make it,” he says. – Edie Ross
“Working in Hutchinson is a great opportunity for us to have access to our customers ... This community is amazing because of the qualityoriented and stable employees it provides our business.” – Jay Schrock, owner
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Roger borth, general manager; and darren keller, vp of sales and marketing
Lowen Color Graphics, A Division of Lowen Corporation
“Working in Hutchinson is gratifying, as it provides a stable environment to raise a family in a community known for its family values, with great public schools and an affordable lifestyle.”
- Darren Keller, vice president of sales and marketing
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The Lowen Corporation’s story began with the vision and entrepreneurial spirit of one man—Mike Lowen—in 1950. More than six decades later, with more than 300 employees, Lowen produces signs and graphics used in everything from buildings and vehicles to public events—a far cry from Lowen’s garage 63 years earlier. Lowen lays claim to serving customers from all 50 states, along with companies located in Mexico and Canada. With a bountiful client base, Lowen saw little decline during the recession in 2009, which Darren Keller, Lowen’s vice president of sales and marketing, says was
still a great year. Three years later, in 2012, Lowen recorded the best year in the company’s history. Sadly, 2012 also saw the passing of the company‘s founder. Today Mike’s son, Matt, serves as CEO. “Everything we produce is unique for each customer, and our employees are tested and challenged every day,” says Roger Borth, executive vice president and general manager. Still, there is more to the Lowen footprint than signs and graphics; corporate citizenship is a top priority. Keller credits the Hutchinson area for some of the company’s success, thanks in part to a productive workforce, many of whom have a hard-working, agricultural background. “You don’t have to travel far in this country to view graphics made at Lowen in Hutchinson,” says former sales manager Tony Walenz, who spent 23 years with the company. “Lowen does
a lot of great things in the Hutchinson community that nobody knows about.” Turns out that over 20 percent of Lowen employees have more than 20 years of employment with the company. Keller adds that Lowen makes it a point to promote from within, welcoming generations of employees. “Employees can literally create their own destiny at Lowen,” he says. – Richard Shank
“This community is amazing because it is centrally located for a company doing business coast to coast, and what makes it even more amazing is that it is Hutchinson, Kansas.�
- Roger Borth, executive vice president and general manager Winter 2013
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Photograph: Kuhn Krause, Inc.
Kuhn Krause, Inc. 50
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Steve Krause
“Working in Hutchinson is a natural thing to do since there are lots of good people to learn from.” – Steve Krause In 1928, Henry Krause packed his bags and left the family farm for Hutchinson to expand on his success of manufacturing and selling the one-way plow. In search of a factory large enough to handle his needs, he set up shop in the old Twin Wheel Windmill factory, as it had an existing foundry. He needed the waiting to keep the plow on the ground during In the eight decades that would follow, three generations of Krauses would run a company known nationwide for the manufacturing of finequality farm implements. Henry’s son Norman joined the company in 1946 following service in World War II, and by 1980, Norman’s son Steve was involved in the business, too. Still, there was far more to the
Krauses than manufacturing farm machinery. During the company’s heyday, many of its employees responded to Henry and Norman’s work ethic and integrity by working 20-40 years for Krause Corporation. “It was perhaps more common in my father’s time that people often worked at the same place for a long period of time,” Steve says. “On the other hand, we live in the part of the country where a strong work ethic still exists.” Steve remembers his father, who passed in 2005, as a man who was driven to excel and was willing to work 120 hours per week to make that happen. It could be said that Norman learned the true meaning of diversification early in the company’s history when the chisel plow had became
popular amid a drought in the 1930s and 1950s, being sought after for its moisture protection— a nd nea rly putting Krause out of business. Then, the mid-1950s saw the appearance of the disc harrow, a combination of four oneway plows. It quickly became the popular item, aiding the rebuilding of Krause after the drought years. Steve joined the company full-time in 1980, another difficult time for the company, in the midst of a recession in American agriculture. “The 1980s were difficult, as our sales dipped more than 50 percent, but my father, who was a product of the Depression, kept the company on a solid financial footing,” Steve says. During the peak years at Krause Corporation, the
business employed about 425 people. In 2011, the Krause family sold the company to Kuhn Group, a European company that was quick to announce its intentions to expand but also keep the company in Hutchinson. Steve retired as the company’s CEO the day the sale was finalized. The new owners changed the name to Kuhn Krause, Inc., which now distributes around 565 models of farm equipment. Noting that Kuhn was interested in K rause’s distribution area, Steve says, “The products sold today by Kuhn Krause are, for the most part, the same products we sold.” – Richard Shank
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travel
LITTLE
Green Giant
Portland bows to nature and green initiatives with near spiritual reverence— all without losing its cool Story by Gloria Gale
Photography Courtesy of Travel Portland
When visiting Portland, don’t bother packing an umbrella. It immediately tabs you as a tourist. I have no hoodie (or shame) on this, my first trip to Portland, Oregon, where I understand it rains pretty much most of the time. Up goes the brolly and curiosity as to why The New York Times dubbed this town “the capital of West Coast urban cool,” and that’s why Portland keeps popping up on “Best Of” lists garnering accolades for lifestyle and environment.
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Pedicab and shoppers near Pioneer Courthouse Square in Downtown Portland. Photograph by Torsten Kjellstrand
Bicycles, trolleys, a metro-link and buses are the norm and quite nominal. Winter 2013
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travel
THIS PAGE Outside VooDoo Doughnuts west side shop. OPPOSITE The picturesque Forest Park.
Lay of the land where spontaneity thrives After settling into my lovely digs at the Heathman Hotel, I ask the concierge for a Cliff Notes version of Portland’s history. He says, “In 1845, founders Asa Lovejoy and Francis Pettygrove (hailing from Boston and Portland, Maine respectively) each laid claim to the entire land plat for a mere $0.25. Both men wanted to name the new city after their hometowns. A stalemate ensued until they flipped a coin. The rest, as they say, is history.” I sign up for a walking tour providing an enthusiastic pitch by our resident guide navigating the group throughout downtown’s half-sized city blocks. “Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers makes Portland relatively flat for runners and
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walkers,” she reports. “For those craving altitude, 11,000-foot Mount Hood looms 60 miles southeast.” Steady growth over the decades resulted in a concerted effort to raise the public’s consciousness into progressive urban planning. City fathers plowed money to power up Portland’s clean-and-green profile, something overzealous hipsters have embraced. Despite the fact that Portland is often spoofed as a place where the young go to retire, in reality the city is an affordable respite for young creatives with a penchant for living green. “Nike, Columbia and Intel are our biggest civic cheerleaders for sustainable metro-wide development promoting a hub of activity, especially downtown,” adds the tour guide.
We trundle past the massive Portlandia, the second largest copper sculpture in the United States, and past Voodoo Doughnut, where there’s a line 24/7. We pass the reputedly haunted underground Shanghai Tunnels beneath Portland’s Old Town; Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore; brick-lined Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Portland Art Museum. That’s just Day One. I find out that public transportation is managed with ease. Bicycles, trolleys, a metro-link and buses are the norm and quite nominal. With more cyclists per capita than any other city, there is access to more than 320 miles of trails, including these notables: Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, Springwater Corridor and Forest Park.
THE LINKS Portland Walking Tours www.portlandwalkingtours.com
Parks
www.portlandparks.org and www.forestparkconservancy.org
Gardens
www.japanesegarden.com and www.lansugarden.org
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Taste of Portland The Heathman Restaurant Smoked Salmon Hash 1 pound hard smoked salmon, shredded 1 small red onion, minced 1 tablespoon horseradish, prepared 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard 2 ounces capers 2 ounces sour cream 2 pounds hash brown potatoes Salt and pepper to taste Mix salmon, onion, capers, horseradish and mustard together. Add sour cream and check seasoning. In a large skillet, cook hash browns until golden brown. Chop in salmon mixture and heat through. Divide onto four plates and garnish with a little sour cream thinned with cream. For breakfast, serve with two poached eggs per person.
www.travelportland.com
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It’s easy to be green
Photographs: shutterstock (4)
Day Two begins at the Heathman, with its famous hefty breakfast of salmon hash that will last me all day and possibly into the next. First up: Washington Park, one of Portland’s many public parks, and site of so many attractions it’s boggling. I edit my choice and focus on two places within the park. The Japanese Garden is an authentic oasis dotted with pathways, bridges and raked stone courtyards. After seeking serenity and reflection, I mosey over to the International Rose Test Garden, where 10,000 roses representing 590 varieties offer a sensory kaleidoscope. Almost noon: It’s time to find out why Portland—birthplace of gastronomical legend James Beard—is now on the national culinary map. Crowds indicate that Tasty n Alder in downtown’s West End is a perfect find. This bustling haunt for affordable cuisine with a “let’s-share” countenance was just that. Armed with my GPS, I continue to venture towards Lan Su Chinese Garden, encompassing a full city block in Old Town/ Chinatown. Mysterious and beautifully manicured, this walled garden offers an escape from the bustle. From there I pop into the nearby Portland Saturday Market, the largest outdoor crafts market in the country. And just beyond the Market is the 1.5-mile Waterfront Park bordering the Willamette River—a great place for people-watching. Visitors might enjoy catching a flick on the bricks at Pioneer Square, visiting one of the gazillion craft-breweries (since Portland is the hub of pubs) or dabbling in the food-cart scene—which has become a bit of a religion. Future adventures include visiting the bucolic Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls, Mount Hood, the Oregon coast or Crater Lake. Or maybe just sitting at Kenny and Zuke’s deli on Stark, nursing a bagel and cream soda. Whatever your pleasure, Portland is undoubtedly cool.
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hutch talks What do you enjoy most about visitors to Hutchinson? It’s always fun to see how surprised our visitors are when they get to experience the unique attractions we’re lucky enough to have in Reno County relative to the size of our community. Having a population of 40,000 in southcentral Kansas and being able to host over 1.5 million out-ofcounty visitors a year is impressive. We can only accomplish that because we have attractions like the Kansas Cosmosphere and the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, as well as events like the Kansas State Fair and the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The combination of our size, central geographic location and world-class attractions truly set us apart.
What new tourism initiatives are on the horizon for 2014? Next year is going to be an incredibly busy year for Hutchinson. We’re adding another new hotel to the community, plus we’re hosting six national events. One of those events, the NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship, will be televised nationally for the first time ever, on the Golf Channel. The media exposure we will receive during that weeklong event is a great opportunity for us to showcase not only Prairie Dunes Country Club, but our entire community to all the golf enthusiasts across the country that will be watching.
What is your favorite destination in Reno County? Why? I don’t think I could pick a favorite! I love our downtown area and the diversity of events they host. The transformation we’ve seen over the last 10 years has been awesome. I love sports, so I always enjoy going to a game at Gowans Stadium, the Sports Arena or Hobart-Detter Field; and it’s always fun to explore some of our small towns in the county like Buhler, Yoder or Pretty Prairie. There’s just too many to choose one!
How would you describe the area to newcomers? First and foremost, I like to talk about
LeAnn
cox
Director - Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau Some might consider LeAnn Cox to be Miss Hutchinson. Born and raised in Hutchinson, she’s got her thumb on everything that’s going on as the director of the Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau. After a short detour to Arizona upon graduating from Kansas State University, Cox returned to Hutchinson in 1995 and the rest is history. “I was fortunate to find a job at the Convention/Visitors Bureau as their convention sales manager,” she says. “With the exception of a threeyear stint managing a local hotel, I have enjoyed over 14 years with the CVB and Chamber of Commerce.”
the unique attractions we have. We also have excellent K-12 educational opportunities and the best junior college in the state. There is always something to do; in fact, there are many times it’s hard to choose from all the diverse activities we offer. In the last few years, Hutchinson has done a great job at improving its overall quality of life for the younger demographic, and one of those things is the new hike/bike trail system. Hutchinson is also affordable and is considered a safe community. I have always felt one of the most important traits about our community is the kindness of the people and their willingness to work hard. We are definitely a community that invests in itself!
If you had a magic lamp (three wishes) for the CVB, what would they be? Something that all CVBs constantly strive to do is educate your own community about the importance of tourism and the role it plays in the local economy. Oftentimes our own citizens can be our best ambassadors, so continually educating your local citizens about tourism is a necessity. I would also hope for streamlined development in sports tourism for our community. This has always been a lucrative market for Hutchinson and Reno County, but it takes a longterm commitment by the community and its leaders to make additional investments. Lastly, I’d hope for the continued cooperation among our partner organizations like the hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail sectors. We can and should continue to be highly successful as long as we work together to make the visitor experience exceed expectations, which in turn will make them want to plan a return visit to Reno County. Interview conducted and edited by Katy Ibsen. Photography by Brian Lingle.
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hutch talks What do you enjoy most about working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson? We pride ourselves in providing our members something new every day when they walk through our doors. From teaching them a vocational skill such as welding, to providing homework help or playing on one of our sports teams—the Club seems to have something for every youth. The creativity and passion of our vision leaders [staff] is second to none. They continue to amaze me by always thinking “outside the box.” They make it fun for all the members. And of course, the hugs you get when you go over to the sites to see the members is a nice perk. You can never get enough hugs!
What’s on tap for 2014? We will continue to offer a variety of programs that are fun and hands-on to help us reach our priority outcomes for members. Those outcomes are academic success, good character/citizenship and healthy lifestyles. … Our program is constantly looking at risk factors that are trending in our area for our youth and working to provide programs that will act as protective factors against those risks. What inspires you every day? I must admit I enjoy coming to work every day! I wish everyone could experience the look in the eyes of a Boys & Girls Club member when they return from a field trip and they tell you that it was the first time they had ever gone skating. Or the member who picks peppers and tomatoes in our Club’s garden that they grew and then get to take home. The calls I receive from parents thanking me for not giving up on their child, for providing them the spark that ignites their passion for something. I love hearing and reading about our past members that are located all across the country that have children of their own; they often contact me to tell me that their children are now members of the Boys & Girls Club in their new town. When I ask them why they chose to enroll their children in the Boys & Girls Club, they all say the same thing: “Why wouldn’t we?”
What might surprise many people about the organization? Our Boys & Girls Club is one of the
SKIP
WILSON Chief Professional Officer Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson In a sense, Skip Wilson bowled his way into making a brighter future for Reno County’s youth. The Hutchinson native attended Wichita State University, where he picked up a passion for bowling. After his graduation in 1981, he began playing for the Professional Bowlers Association. “I toured professionally for five years, thinking that I would eventually end up in California or someplace warm,” he says. “The more I toured the country the more I realized the best people in the USA live right here in Kansas, despite the cold winters.” Upon his return, he took a position with the Hutchinson Recreation Commission and later worked for the state of Kansas as a youth-at-risk specialist to design and implement after-school programs in Reno County. This led to his current role at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson. There is little doubt that Wilson will look forward to celebrating 20 years with the organization in 2015.
largest Clubs per capita in the nation. That this past school year we had 60 vision leaders working for us and this past summer we employed over 50 vision leaders to oversee our program sites.
How can Hutchinson residents help the area’s youth? Invest in our youth. The skills our young people need today to be successful in the workforce have dramatically changed since I started my career. Investing in programs that provide area youth “life skills” will help future generations of workers. I would also say that if you have a skill that you can share with our youth, contact us or any programs that work with youth. I have seen sparks ignite in our members after a volunteer has visited the Club or actively interacted with one of our members.
If you had a magic lamp (three wishes) for the Boys & Girls Club, what would they be? 1.) That every youth in Reno County that needed our service could have access to our programs. 2.) A brand new Boys & Girls Club facility right in the middle of Hutchinson with two huge basketball courts, bowling lanes (of course), First Tee golf facility behind the Club, a vocational academy with all the machinery, a state-of-theart technology room and enough space to accommodate 1,000 members per day. 3.) A large endowment to maintain this new facility! Interview conducted and edited by Katy Ibsen. Photography by Brian Lingle. Winter 2013
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the
end quote
Miles between Hutchinson and Dave McKane’s hometown in Ireland:
4,230
Delos V. Smi th,
the entity behind the Delos V. Smith Film Series, appeared in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with Jack Nicholson
“I love color.
I stay awake at night thinking about colors and different projects I can do.”
– Rachel Hixson
“It’s always fun to see how surprised our visitors are when they get to experience the
unique attractions
we’re lucky enough to have in Reno County relative to the size of our community.”
– LeAnn Cox, Hutchinson CVB
“This communit y is amazing
because of the quality-oriented and stable employees it provides our business.” – Jay Schrock,
owner, Woodwork Manufacturing
“One of my favorite things to do is
sit on the front porch swing and enjoy the evening
while marveling at the great, old cottonwood in the front yard.” – Lisa Hughes
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“Working in Hutchinson is gratifying, as it provides a stable environment to raise a family in a community known for its family values, with great public schools and an affordable lifestyle.”
– Darren Keller,
vice president of sales and marketing for Lowen Color Graphics
“Having pets in a business boosts morale and makes it a happier place to be.” – Logan Hurlbut, engineer at Shield Industries
“ Wh at I c o m e to Hutch for is the
people. … I do love the place.”
– Dave McKane
5 Cats used in the making of this magazine
40 years
“We’ve had a very rich history the last 40 years, and we’re looking forward to the next 40 years and seeing what that will bring.” – Brenda Maxey,
CEO of TECH
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best bets
Christmas shoppers can go underground and find gifts in Strataca store, without the admission fee. Shoppers will also be able to see movie costumes and memorabilia on display. Begins at 5 p.m. http://underkansas.org/
january The Great Gatsby
Hyde Park Luminaria
Hutchinson’s Hyde Park neighborhood (Main to Monroe, 18th to 23rd) will be aglow with 17,000 Christmas Luminaria lining the streets and sidewalks of their homes. Festivities also include hayrack rides, carolers and Santa! Begins at 6 p.m.
december
7&14
Happy Holidays at the Hutchinson Zoo
Celebrate the holidays with rides on the Prairie Thunder Railroad, pictures with Santa, Christmas Tree Lane voting, refreshments and much more. 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. (620) 694-2672
December 13 Prairie Nutcracker A uniquely Kansas adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s traditional Nutcracker for the whole family. Prairie Nutcracker is the perfect heart-warming American celebration for the heartland’s holiday season. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. www.prairienutcracker.com
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Part of the winter Delos V Smith Film Series at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre, The Great Gatsby will entertain audiences young and old. Films are shown Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the theater 30 minutes before showtime. (620) 663-1981
january
20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
january 30 HCC Instrumental Jazz: Winter Clinic Concert HCC Instrumental Jazz Winter Clinic Concert will entertain audiences at the B.J. Warner Recital Hall. Begins at 7:30 p.m. www.hutchcc.edu
February 7
Shopping in the Mine
December 21
05 December
Winter 2013
Pearson/ Hearn Cello & Piano Recital
Enjoy the HCC Pearson/ Hearn Cello & Piano Recital at Stringer Fine Arts Center on the Hutchinson Community College campus. Begins at 7:30 www.hutchcc.edu
february 27-
March 2 The Wizard of Oz
The Family Community Theatre presents The Silver Celebration Season, celebrating 25 years. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the TinMan, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination. Showtimes vary. www.familychildrenstheater.com
Tesori